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Gretsch Quality? Last viewed: 1 day ago

Posts: 151 Threads: 12

This is a 20 lug COB snare that was given to me about a month ago.

I was a bit puzzeld over the fact that the lugs weren't really symmetricly aligned on the shell, rather, they are pointing a little in all directions.

Then I noticed that the strainer wasn't mounted direcltly over the hole in the rim either.

At first I simply assumed that this drum had been abused and banged around and that by just loosening the lugs and the strainer I could adjust their position back to where they should be.

But when I took the lugs off, Mind Blowi , I found the worst looking shell I have ever come across. It looks as if a four year old kid have gone berserk with dad's drilling machine. -No wonder the shell and the rims are out of round.

Is this really normal for a Gretsch shell?

I have dissesembled and cleaned quite a few drums over the years but I have never seen a shell like this before.

/Johan M

70's Slingerland, 13,14,18,24" Copper wrap
70's Pearl Wood/fiberglass 12,13,13,14,16,18,22,24" Red
70's Pearl Fiberglass shells 12,13,16, 22" White
70's Hayman, 13,14,16,22" Black
60's Hoshino, 13,16,20" WMP
2009 Ludwig element, 10,12,13,16,22" Orange
Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 747 Threads: 37

I've never seen anything that consistently bad. It almost seems like some amateur got an undrilled shell, & used wood drills to slap it together.

Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 3467 Threads: 116

The grommet does not look good either..

hope you can somehow get it sorted..

Cheers

'77 Slingerland 51N,Super Rock 24,18,14,13.. COW 8,10 Concert toms
'69 Slingerland Hollywood Ace
'75 Rogers Dynasonic 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'77-78 Slingerland 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'78-79 Slingerland 5 1/4 x14 8 lug COB
'79 Biman 5 1/4, Acrolite
'82 Slingerland 5 1/4 x 14. Festival COS
'84 Tama MasterCraft Superstar 6.5 x 14, 10 lug Rosewood
'98 Slingerland (Music YO) 6" 10 Lug Maple.. NOS
Zildjian, Sabian , UFIP & Paiste mix.
Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 2713 Threads: 555

I'm no expert but I'd be very surprised if this was made at the Gretsch factory. Think about it...even more....., if this was ordered by a customer through a retailer or even sent be Gretsch to a retail outlet it would have been sent right back...don't you think? I can't even imagine Gretsch sending this out.

It looks like (as said above) someone got a blank shell and went to work on it.

Ya - the grommet too

Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 431 Threads: 25

That's terrible.

Someone seemingly bought a shell and then drilled by himself.

I hope the Grestch factory didn't work so.

Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 351 Threads: 22

This shell looks very suspicious. I doubt if it was done by professional.

With pro machines accuracy, setup, quality process and inspection in gretsch, ludwig or any other drum factory it was impossible to make such fail.

You can deviate for 0.5mm but not as much as on your pic...

And this horrible drilling...

---------------------
In case of deal with johnnyringo:
http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/show...80&postcount=1
Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 919 Threads: 82

I have seen a lot of new old stock Gretsch shells and rims on eBay, someone could have gotten an undrilled shell and built up a NOS drum.

I like Drums...
1963 Ludwig Downbeat Champagne Sparkle
1964 Leedy (Slingerland) Blue n Silver Duco
1964 Ludwig Club Date Sparkling Silver Pearl
1966 Ludwig Super Classic Sparkling Silver Pearl
1968 Gretsch round badge modern jazz orange stain
1972 Slingerland 85N Pop outfit Light Blue Pearl
1976 Ludwig Vistalite clear
1981 Gretsch SSB Gran Prix Rosewood
1987 Yamaha Turbo Tour Custom Mellow Yellow
1991 Pearl Export Ferrari Red
Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 151 Threads: 12

From longjohn

The grommet does not look good either..hope you can somehow get it sorted..Cheers

Actually, the grommet looks pretty ok. -just a lot of dirt in the hole.

/Johan M

1 attachment
IMG_2125d.JPG
89.5 kB
70's Slingerland, 13,14,18,24" Copper wrap
70's Pearl Wood/fiberglass 12,13,13,14,16,18,22,24" Red
70's Pearl Fiberglass shells 12,13,16, 22" White
70's Hayman, 13,14,16,22" Black
60's Hoshino, 13,16,20" WMP
2009 Ludwig element, 10,12,13,16,22" Orange
Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 878 Threads: 190

I went through a period in the late 70's where I wanted a Gretsch 14 x 6 1/2" maple snare. I was in a great position with a drum shop - I could take anything I wanted and pay later. I went through 3 or 4 Gretsch snares and they all had build issues - mostly lugs out of alignment. I sort of gave up in the end; although the drums all sounded good - they were not up to scratch build-wise. $00.02

Home Of The Trout
YouTube Channel
Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 151 Threads: 12

From snurf

This shell looks very suspicious. I doubt if it was done by professional.With pro machines accuracy, setup, quality process and inspection in gretsch, ludwig or any other drum factory it was impossible to make such fail.You can deviate for 0.5mm but not as much as on your pic...And this horrible drilling...

I absolutely agree. If it was a professional drilling this, it must have been made very early monday morning, bad hangover, after a very intense weekend ;)

Seen from inside the shell, it looks even worse.

/Johan M

1 attachment
IMG_2124d.JPG
88.1 kB
70's Slingerland, 13,14,18,24" Copper wrap
70's Pearl Wood/fiberglass 12,13,13,14,16,18,22,24" Red
70's Pearl Fiberglass shells 12,13,16, 22" White
70's Hayman, 13,14,16,22" Black
60's Hoshino, 13,16,20" WMP
2009 Ludwig element, 10,12,13,16,22" Orange
Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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